Nigerian-American artist Victor Ehikhamenor has debuted Reincarnation (I), a new sculptural work on view at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery in London from 2 May to 5 July 2025. The piece is presented in The Box, the gallery’s micro-project space, and forms part of Ehikhamenor’s broader series For the Love of Stolen Gods & Reincarnation, which addresses debates surrounding the restitution of stolen African artworks.

Ehikhamenor’s work draws on the history and legacy of the Benin bronzes, thousands of which were looted during the 1897 British expedition to the Benin Kingdom in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. In Reincarnation (I), the artist engages directly with this legacy, referencing traditional Edo motifs—such as the beaded headdresses and coral necklaces worn by Oba royalty—while departing from custom by leaving the face of his figure bare. The polished, reflective surface stands in for the absence left by colonial extraction and displacement.

Produced using the lost-wax bronze casting method with local foundries in Benin, Ehikhamenor’s sculpture bridges historical craftsmanship with contemporary commentary. By retaining elements of the casting process, such as the bronze runners, the artist highlights both the labor behind the work and the enduring vitality of Edo bronze-making traditions.

The exhibition coincides with Ehikhamenor’s inclusion in INSIGHT 2.1, a presentation of new work by artists in the gallery’s Viewing Room. It continues the artist’s exploration of the global African diaspora, postcolonial politics, and cultural heritage, themes central to his multidisciplinary practice.

Ehikhamenor, who lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria, has exhibited internationally, including at the Venice Biennale (2017), St Paul’s Cathedral in London (2022), and the Lagos Biennial (2024). His work is held in major collections such as the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, and the High Museum in Atlanta.

See images of the exhibited works here!

Check out this video of Ehikhamenor talking about his work: